What memories do you have of Hank Aaron's 715th home run?

Question

I remember feeling very happy about it. I was a white teenager, and it didn't bother me at all that Aaron was breaking Babe Ruth's record. The stories you hear about Aaron's racial harassment were true, but most people enjoyed his pursuit (in stark contrast to what's happened with Bonds).

I remember the anticipation leading up to it. Getting stuck at 713 at the end of the 1973 season. Immediately hitting #714 at the beginning of the 1974 season. The controversy over whether he should be held out of games until the Braves played at home. That exciting Monday night game when he hit it on national television. The cover of the next Sports Illustrated with Aaron proudly holding the ball up in the air for all to see.

Answer 1

It was my 8th birthday. My parents took me out bowling and to eat ice cream with a friend to celebrate. When we got home, we turned on the TV and just as it came on, Hank was at the plate and hit #715. My mother convinced me that he did it as a special birthday present for me. Of course, it's not hard to get an 8 year old to believe stuff like that so I fell for it.

I still associate my birthday with that event.

Answer 2

I was almost into double digits. It was a big moment -- the biggest in some ways. Baseball hadn't seen anything like it since, well, Maris in '61 I suppose.

And it got replayed, not just during the game, and not just at the 11:00 newscasts in the sports segments, but as a headliner! And again, and again, carrying over to the morning shows on April 9. This was still five years before ESPN, decades before the Web. Such coverage was unprecedented.

I loved watching it and seeing it again and again. Records should fall, and great and storied records that fall can become cultural touchstones for a generation. It's disappointing that Bonds' pursuit has been so defaced, both for real reasons and many petty agendas, but those will be sidelined as time goes by (hatred only sells well short-term).

I'm delighted I've been able to witness the home run mark be reset once, and now again.

Now if Biggio would just get plunked enough to pass Jennings....

Answer 3

I was only 2 years old but seeing the replay over the years all I could think about was, "I wish I was one of those guys rounding the bases with him." Man, how lax was security back then? What if those guys had weapons or something?

Answer 4

TBS placed out a useful documentary on Aaron, they interview the two adult males who jumped out of the stands and ran alongside Hank whilst he became working the tub paths, you will get it on netflix or your blockbuster.

Answer 5

I remember Al Downing catching the ball in the bullpen. I took notice of that because he wasn't a great fielder and didn't catch many hit back to him.

Answer 6

I love to watch replays of that homerun.

The cover of SI explained it all, ''715!''

Answer 7

I don't remember anything about it-- I was 16 months old.

Answer 8

Hank wasn't using steriods..Bonds record is a blemish on the game

Answer 9

I'm still trying to get that 'HIPPIE' smell off of me. Thanks, now that smell is back!!